The Guinness award recognizes Acapulco's long-standing tradition of cliff diving. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
The famed Acapulco cliff divers were awarded a Guinness World Record this week for completing 5 million headfirst dives from La Quebrada, the steep, rocky cliff that towers above the Pacific Ocean.
Since 1934, La Quebrada’s divers have drawn global attention for their perilous 35-meter (115-foot) dives into a watery inlet just 7 meters (23 feet) wide and 4 meters (13 feet) deep.
Record Guinness Clavadistas Acapulco!
The Guinness award cements their legacy as one of Mexico’s most enduring cultural and athletic traditions.
Gustavo Gatica Gorostieta, president of the Professional Divers Association of La Quebrada, emphasized the nine decades of sacrifice behind the milestone.
“This record is the result of tears, sweat, pain and fear,” he said. “We do it with love and dedication to promote La Quebrada, Acapulco and Guerrero.”
Acapulco is the largest city in the state of Guerrero, with a population of 658,000.
Situated a short walk or taxi ride from downtown, the cliffs of La Quebrada are just northwest of Acapulco’s main square — not adjacent to any beach, but rising 35 to 45 meters (115 to 148 feet) above the ocean below. The Hotel El Mirador overlooks the cliffs, with panoramic views of the diving shows.
The historic 5 millionth dive was executed by Amadeo Alcocer, who began practicing the sport at age 12 and is now a professional diver at 18. Wearing a ceremonial cape emblazoned with the Guinness logo, Alcocer described the moment as nerve-wracking yet exhilarating.
“It makes me feel very happy, very proud to be part of the group and to be from Acapulco,” he said, mentioning that he said a prayer to the Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgin Mary) moments before the plunge.
Divers can reach speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph) during their 4-second descent.
Divers and government officials celebrated the record at a ceremony on Tuesday. (Evelyn Salgado Pineda/Facebook)
Hurricane Otis forced a six-week halt to performances in late 2023, with divers later scaling back shows due to reduced tourism. Moreover, the accumulation of debris along the coast after both hurricanes also made the waters unsafe for boaters and divers alike.
Federal Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora praised the divers as “the best in the world” and highlighted the Guinness record as publicity that can help revive Acapulco’s tourism sector.
Guinness representative Ingrid Rodríguez Borja noted the unique nature and difficulty of the dives, which are performed at triple the height of Olympic platforms into shallower depths. Divers also must wait for the right tide before taking their plunge, and strong winds are often part of the equation.
The ceremony featured 12 dives, including one by a woman and two by minors.
Over the past 91 years, since fishermen began challenging one another to jump from the crags into the water below, La Quebrada’s cliffs have hosted many celebrities and been a site in many Hollywood films, including Elvis Presley making a dramatic dive in 1963’s “Fun in Acapulco.”
But nowadays, Salgado said, the focus is mainly on preserving Acapulco’s identity. “This isn’t just sport,” Salgado said. “It’s a story of overcoming, of a people who rise again.”
By the mid-1930s, cliff diving had become a popular pastime among young thrill-seekers in Acapulco. (Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones/CC BY-SA 2.0)
One of them is Raúl Arturo García Bravo, a high-dive pioneer and big promoter of La Quebrada diving in the 1930s who, legend as it, was the stunt man for Elvis’ big dive in “Fun in Acapulco.” He also jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and appeared in at least 10 other Hollywood films; his record of more than 35,000 high dives included his last from La Quebrada at age 71 in 1998.
The other is Iris Selene Álvarez Alonso, who was 14 when she achieved a Guinness record in 2007 by jumping into the ocean below from a cliff 18 meters (59 feet) high, making her the youngest female to accomplish such a feat. A shoulder injury forced her to terminate her diving career.
Sheinbaum described Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's recent election win as "highly irregular." (Gobierno de Ecuador)
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday said Mexico has no plans to restore diplomatic relations with Ecuador after President Daniel Noboa won re-election over the weekend.
During her Wednesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum cast doubt on Noboa’s election victory, calling it “highly irregular,” while rejecting the Ecuadorian president’s expressed desire to renew relations with Mexico.
President Sheinbaum answered reporters’ questions about Mexico-Ecuador relations at her Wednesday press conference. (Presidencia)
“We do not currently have relations with Ecuador and we will not restore relations as long as Noboa is in power,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, broke off relations with the South American nation after Ecuadorian police raided the Mexican Embassy in Quito on April 5, 2024. Noboa ordered the highly controversial raid to detain a former vice president of the South American nation who was seeking asylum in Mexico.
Then-Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena announced the cancellation of diplomatic relations the following day.
“In consultation with [President López Obrador], and in view of the flagrant and serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, [especially] the principle of inviolability of Mexico’s diplomatic premises and personnel, and the basic rules of international coexistence, Mexico announces that it is immediately breaking diplomatic relations with Ecuador,” she said.
Surveillance footage of the embassy raid showed Ecuadorian police grappling with Roberto Canseco, Mexico’s deputy chief of mission, as they arrested Jorge Glas, Ecuador’s former vice president.
Glas, twice convicted for corruption, had sought protection from embezzlement charges by requesting asylum in Mexico. In December 2023 — a little over a month after Noboa first assumed power — López Obrador granted Glas permission to live at Mexico’s embassy.
Noboa, who will serve a four-year term, has been in office since November 2023 after winning a snap election following the resignation of President Guillermo Lasso six months earlier.
Noboa defended his decision to raid Mexico’s embassy by saying the security crisis in Ecuador called for “exceptional decisions,” and that he could not allow a convicted criminal to escape justice.
Felipe Ángeles International Airport is the hub for Viva Airlines’ U.S. routes. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Viva Airlines has announced seven new direct flights from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to U.S. destinations beginning in October. The airline is also adding flights to two domestic destinations.
On Wednesday, Viva CEO Juan Carlos Zuazua said in a LinkedIn post that the new flights reaffirm the airline’s “commitment to a more accessible, modern … aviation at the best prices for all.”
AIFA welcomed Viva Airlines’ expanded offerings, which could boost usage of Mexico City’s new airport. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Viva will add flights from AIFA to seven U.S. cities: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Orlando. The airline will also add domestic service to La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, and Tepic, the capital of the Pacific Coast state of Nayarit.
In a press release, Viva said the new routes solidify its position as “the leading carrier for international travel between the Mexico City metropolitan area and the United States.”
“We went from 29 to 38 direct flights from AIFA, marking a growth of 31% (at AIFA),” Zuazua wrote. He added that the expansion is important because “the U.S. is [Viva’s] main international market and a strategic partner for tourism, investment and trade in Mexico.”
The new flights could help establish AIFA as an international hub; so far, Viva has flown 5 million passengers out of AIFA, Zuazua said — almost half of all passengers who have passed through the México state airport.
The new airport has struggled to meet expectations in terms of passenger numbers, according to industry experts cited by Mexico Business News.
The government’s original projections had AIFA handling 20 million passengers annually within its first three years. However, since opening on March 21, 2022, the airport — located 45 kilometers north of downtown Mexico City in neighboring México state — had served only 10.47 million passengers through Jan. 31, 2025, an average of just over 3.5 million passengers per year.
The lack of ground transportation has been a significant hurdle for passengers flying into and out of AIFA, even though ticket prices are lower than at the original international airport in eastern Mexico City, Benito Juárez. A new passenger rail line connecting AIFA to the old Mexico City train terminal, just 3 kilometers northwest of the capital’s Historic Center, is set to open in July.
Performing under scrutiny: Narcocorridos are in hot water as states crack down on the genre. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Restrictions on narcocorridos — a Mexican regional music subgenre that tells stories associated with drug trafficking and organized crime — are on the rise in Mexico as more states and cities ban live performances of drug ballads.
Nayarit was the first state to issue a ban this year. More states have followed suit as pressure against the controversial genre has mounted, both in Mexico and abroad. Now, Querétaro, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Michoacán and Mexico City have all announced restrictions on public performances of the music promoting violence or crime — prohibitions that in some cases extend to private events.
Why are Mexican states banning narcocorridos?
Prohibitions over narcocorridos, also known as corridos tumbados, are not new. In 2023, Tijuana, Baja California, banned narcocorridos, forbidding musical groups from singing them at public events and commercial establishments from playing them. That same year, the municipality of Benito Juárez (Cancún) denied granting permits to concerts that promote organized crime, and the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, banned corridos tumbados and music that promotes violence or misogyny. Artists such as Natanael Cano and Peso Pluma have faced sanctions for violating this rule.
By late March, the debate intensified after the musical group Los Alegres del Barranco performed a narcocorrido during a concert at the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), praising the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, while projecting his image on screen.
The United States later announced it would revoke the visas of the group’s members.
Weeks later, the Texcoco Feria del Caballo in the state of México became the center of the debate, after singer Luis R. Conriquez refused to perform some of his most famous corridos that reference — and sometimes glorify — real-life figures in the drug world. The musician, who self-censored after the state government threatened to criminally prosecute narcocorrido singers, left the stage as the rowdy fans began to riot.
Artists like Conriquez are reconsidering their set lists as more states prohibit music referencing violence. (Ocesa)
The incident in Texcoco prompted President Claudia Sheinbaum to state that narcocorridos are not forbidden by the federal government. “It would be absurd to ban a musical genre,” she said. Instead, Sheinbaum said her administration proposes “that the lyrics stop condoning drugs, violence, violence against women, or viewing women as sexual objects.” In November, Sheinbaum announced a national contest seeking to change the lyrical content of narcocorridos.
Which states or cities have issued bans so far this year?
Nayarit
In February, Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero issued an official decree banning narcocorridos and corridos tumbados at fairs, stadiums, public squares, and other public spaces.
Querétaro
Last week on April 10, the Querétaro government and the state’s 18 municipalities signed a joint agreement to forbid public and private events that glorify crime.
Jalisco
On April 11, Governor Pablo Lemus ordered a ban on any public presentations or musical groups that glorify crime at events organized by the state government.
Mexico City
On Wednesday, Mayor of Mexico City Mayor Carla Brugada announced that her government will issue a directive to limit music with violent messages at government events and public spaces.
Aguascalientes
On Thursday, the local Congress approved an initiative to ban narcocorridos at public eventsjust days before the San Marcos Fair begins on April 19. The crime will be classified in the local penal code as “Provocation to commit a crime or apology for crime,” and will carry a prison sentence of six months to one year.
Michoacán
Starting Thursday, a decree signed by Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla took effect prohibiting authorities from granting permits for public events hosting musical groups that advocate crime.
Mexico maintains its investment-grade rating thanks to "prudent macroeconomic policy framework, robust external finances, and its large and diversified economy," Fitch reported. (Gideon Benari/Flickr)
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Mexico’s sovereign credit rating at the lowest investment-grade level while forecasting that the Mexican economy will fall into recession this year.
“FitchRatings has affirmed Mexico’s Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB-‘ with a Stable Outlook,” the New York-based credit rating agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mexico maintained its investment-grade credit rating despite the likelihood of an economic downturn. (María Ruiz)
Fitch also said that it expects the Mexican economy to contract 0.4% this year.
Among the countries that currently have an AAA rating with Fitch — denoting the lowest expectation of default risk — are Switzerland, Germany and Australia. The United States’ rating is AA+, the second highest level.
With a BBB- rating, Mexico’s default risk is on par with that of India and Greece, among other countries.
Fitch said on Wednesday that “Mexico’s rating is supported by a prudent macroeconomic policy framework, robust external finances, and its large and diversified economy.”
It said that Mexico’s rating is “constrained by muted long-term growth, weak governance indicators, fiscal challenges related to a low revenue base and budgetary rigidities, and contingent liabilities from Pemex,” the state oil company.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mexico’s Finance Ministry highlighted that Mexico has an investment-grade rating “with the eight rating agencies that evaluate its debt.”
That situation, the ministry added, “guarantees favorable access to international financial markets.”
Fitch predicts a recession on the horizon
Fitch said that Mexico is “especially vulnerable to U.S. trade protectionism, as decades of integration have made exports to its northern neighbor a mainstay of the economy (27% of GDP in 2024).”
Mexico’s auto sector is especially vulnerable to disruption from tariffs, Fitch reported. (Volkswagen de México)
Fitch said that the ultimate “fate” of the Mexico-U.S. trading relationship “is likely to remain unclear at least until a review of the USMCA agreement scheduled for mid-2026.”
“Even if U.S. tariff policy preserves a preferential treatment for Mexico relative to competitors, we see dimmer prospects for ‘nearshoring‘ so long as this uncertainty persists,” it said.
In that context, Fitch is forecasting that the Mexican economy will contract 0.4% in 2025 “as tariffs, tariff-induced uncertainty, fiscal adjustments, and a slowdown in the U.S. weigh on activity.”
If the Mexican economy were to contract, it would be the first recession since 2020, when Mexico’s GDP plunged 8.5% due to the COVID pandemic and associated restrictions. The economy grew 1.5% in 2024, but contracted on a sequential basis in the last quarter of the year.
Fitch acknowledged that the current economic outlook is “uncertain and will hinge on the new trade relationship with the U.S. that emerges.”
“For now, we expect a modest 0.8% recovery in 2026 as the economy continues to digest tariffs and U.S. growth remains soft,” it said.
What happens with Mexico economy in 2025 depends in part on the results of current tariff negotiations. (Shutterstock)
Fitch’s forecast for the Mexican economy in 2025 contrasts sharply with those of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which are predicting growth of 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. However, both those forecasts were made in January, before United States President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico.
In the Mexico report it issued on Wednesday, Fitch Ratings also commented on the federal government’s Plan México economic initiative, tax collection and other issues.
Plan México
Fitch said that Plan México “seeks to enhance growth prospects, via a state-led model with participation by the private sector given limited fiscal resources.”
“New energy-sector legislation, for example, bolsters the primacy of public companies but introduces new modalities for partnership with the private sector,” it said.
Fitch said that “increased social outlays, public mega-projects” — such as the Maya Train railroad — “higher interest costs, and Pemex’s operational losses have worsened … [Mexico’s] fiscal position, lifting the ‘public sector borrowing requirements’ … to a record-high 5.7% of GDP in 2024.”
It added that the Mexican government is aiming to reduce public borrowing requirements to 3.9% of GDP this year, “via large cuts” to capital expenditure “following completion of mega-projects and austerity in operating expenditures even in priority areas (health, education, security).”
Tax collection
Fitch said it believes the Mexico government “can achieve this year’s fiscal goal despite the adverse backdrop” created by U.S. tariffs and tariff threats.
It highlighted that tax collection rose 10% annually in the first two months of 2025 “despite stagnating economic activity.”
Fitch said the higher tax revenue reflects “resilience and possible gains from some measures (e.g., taxes on e-commerce), while spending cuts remain on track.”
Spring break is bringing a surge in cruise tourism to Cozumel. (Mara Lezama/X)
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, is expecting tens of thousands of cruise ship passengers during the first week of spring break, according to a statement from the state government.
The Quintana Roo Comprehensive Port Authority (Apiqroo) reported that 21 cruise ships carrying some 80,459 tourists would be arriving at the island this week through Sunday, April 20.
High season in Cozumel: cruise ships and turquoise waters. (Especial/Cuartoscuro)
Officials expected nearly 14,000 tourists on Wednesday and over 18,000 on Thursday, which is expected to be the busiest day of the season. Estimates suggest that over 16,000 travelers will arrive on Friday, followed by roughly 6,000 a day on Saturday and Sunday.
While final figures have not been released, authorities estimated that a total of 19,765 cruise passengers were going to stop in Cozumel on Monday and Tuesday.
Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez, said these statistics reflect a trend that will likely lead the island to end the year with at least 5 million visitors, marking a record figure for the sunny destination.
“Last year, Cozumel welcomed 4,623,000 tourists; the goal is to reach 5 million,” Chacón said in a press conference, adding that cruising companies have expressed their confidence in Cozumel, as a leading destination “with a huge range of natural beauty.”
Gov. Lezama has said that beyond numbers and records, Quintana Roo’s government wants to leverage its tourism leadership to improve health, education, housing, and working conditions for tourism industry workers.
Some of her recent actions to boost tourism include a working trip to Miami, where Lezama met with executives from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and CEOs of major shipping companies. She also participated in Seatrade Cruise Global, a leading trade fair for the cruise industry worldwide, intending to continue to position Cozumel and Mahahual as top cruise tourism destinations in Latin America.
Cruise ships bring plenty of life to Mahahual’s tranquil shores. (Elizabeth Ruíz/Cuartoscuro)
According to her administration, these companies confirmed that they see Quintana Roo as a strategic location for growth and investment, citing its expanding infrastructure and reliability, and expressing strong interest in showcasing the region’s potential and attractions to a global audience.
Born in Xalapa in 1920, Chedraui is Mexico's largest locally-owned supermarket chain. (Larry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0)
For being such a compact and lightly visited city, Xalapa — the quaint capital of Veracruz — has provided the rest of Mexico with some of its most important amenities. Aside from being one of the country’s main coffee producing regions and the namesake and origin of jalapeños en escabeche, Xalapa is where Chedraui began. The nation’s most profitable Mexican-owned supermarket, Chedraui currently accounts for 19.3% of national grocery market sales.
Its blue, white and orange letters and logo of a young family strollering a baby forward announce themselves all over Mexico. Today, the supermarket can be found in 25 of Mexico’s 31 states under a variety of iterations: the more affordably-priced Super Chedraui, grocery and department store Tienda Chedraui, small and often self-service Chedraui Supercito and Chedraui Selecto, which carries high-end imports. Since 1997, Chedraui has even existed in parts of the United States, outgrowing its first U.S. outlet in South Gate, California, and present across the U.S. Southwest under the monikers El Super and Fiesta Mart.
Al Puerto de Beirut, sometime between 1920 and 1927. (Facebook)
A Lebanese-Jalapeño success story
Of course, Chedraui wasn’t always the standard for grocery shopping in Mexico. In fact, the store started out much like the first jalapeños en escabeche makers did: as an ad hoc operation in Xalapa in the first decades of the 20th century. Lázaro Chedraui, a Lebanese immigrant, and his wife Ana Caram officially opened Al Puerto de Beirut in Xalapa in 1920. Initially a men’s clothing store, they could be found on what is now the corner of Xalapeños Ilustres and Carrillo Puerto, a central artery of the city to this day. In 1927, the couple decided to rename their business into something more similar to what we know it as today: Casa Chedraui. Unfortunately, the original location of that Chedraui no longer exists, as the triangular, Flatiron-esque building is now occupied by a variety of small clothing stores and food businesses.
Despite their ubiquitous boom since then, Chedraui’s first expansion didn’t occur until 1961. 34 years after his parents’ store first opened, Lázaro and Ana’s son Antonio Chedraui Caram assisted in shepherding the business into the future by launching a supermarket known as Almacenes Chedraui, also in Xalapa’s downtown, on Calle Dr. Lucio.
Chedraui branches out
Nine years later, in 1970, the family’s first department-style mega store opened under the auspicious title of Super Chedraui. That branch remains and continues to serve a large clientele in downtown Xalapa, just around the corner from Chedraui’s original flagship. The store later added more departments and increased their total workforce to 180 employees — massive for the time. According to Xalapa Antiguo, a Facebook group dedicated to preserving local history, the Chedraui on Calle Dr. Lucio was one of the first buildings to use escalators in Veracruz’s capital.
The Calle Dr. Lucio store was designed by Enrique Murillo, perhaps Xalapa’s most prolific architect, with noteworthy buildings in locations including the port of Veracruz, Mexico City and Acapulco. During that time, Chedraui offered everything from groceries and clothing to auto service and vehicle maintenance. That same decade also brought the arrival of Chedraui outside of Xalapa, beginning in the port of Veracruz in 1976 and going as far as the neighboring state of Tabasco in 1983. Back then, the Chedraui chain hadn’t fully established itself, consolidating under Grupo Chedraui Comercial in 1985. Prior to that, each outlet operated independently. Grupo Chedraui slowly jettisoned former parts of its business plan over the years: the auto services and large department store offerings, for example, were sold to Liverpool, a recognizable chain store throughout Mexico in its own right, in 1997.
The Chedraui on Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma anchors the Lagunilla antiques market. (Thayne Tuason/CC-BY-SA 4.0)
Chedraui went from being a regional chain to a national outlet in 2005, when they attempted their entry into Mexico City. It was Soriana, a similarly-sized grocery market from northern Mexico, that went on to gain a majority of Mexico City’s clientele. Generally, though, Chedraui has been a mainstay throughout the nation as a go-to shopping option for families.
For most of my life visiting my extended relatives in Xalapa, I’ve always assumed that Chedraui — both as a brand and as a family — were as integrated everywhere in Mexico as they are here. Of course, as a kid, I didn’t realize that their presence and familiarity was extra apparent in Xalapa, where I now live, because it’s where they first started out. Every year for Christmas, the large home that the Chedraui family still owns in the city is converted into a nativity scene. It’s customary to drive through the upscale neighborhood of Las Animas to see what the Chedrauis have set up, and to enjoy the ostentatious architecture and lake views in the neighborhood. My aunt claims that the family’s Christmas decorations keep expanding and taking up more lawn space year by year; this past year, they even incorporated a small portion of the neighborhood’s lake.
In 2017, 72% of Mexicans reported spending up to two hours at the supermarket per trip. That tends to mean strong associations with these stores. For Mexicans across the country, Chedraui tends to mean convenience. For Jalapeños, it means hometown pride.
Both leaders had positive things to say about the Wednesday phone call. (White House/X. Archive)
President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke to United States President Donald Trump by telephone on Wednesday, a call both leaders described as “very productive” without going into significant detail.
“Had a very productive call with the President of Mexico yesterday,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday morning.
“Likewise, I met with the highest level Japanese Trade Representatives. It was a very productive meeting. Every Nation, including China, wants to meet! Today, Italy!” he said.
Sheinbaum subsequently acknowledged her call with Trump in a post to X.
“As he mentions on his account, it was very productive,” she wrote.
“We will continue dialogue to reach good agreements that benefit our country and our people,” Sheinbaum said.
El día de ayer tuvimos una llamada con el presidente Trump. Como lo menciona en su cuenta, fue muy productiva. Seguiremos dialogando para alcanzar buenos acuerdos que beneficien a nuestros países y nuestros pueblos.
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) April 17, 2025
The Mexican president has consistently maintained that her government is willing to collaborate with the Trump administration on security issues but will not accept subordination or any violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
Trade was likely another issue discussed by Sheinbaum and Trump in their call on Wednesday as Mexico is currently attempting to negotiate better trading conditions with its northern neighbor. Since Trump began his second term in January, the United States has imposed tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum, cars made in Mexico and goods that don’t comply with the rules of the USMCA free trade pact.
On April 3, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that Mexico’s goal was “to achieve the best [trading] conditions among all countries of the world for the [Mexican] auto industry.”
“The same thing for steel and aluminum. We’re going to be working the next 40 days. That is what comes next, and we estimate that it will be around 40 days of negotiations,” he said.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard continues to lead tariff negotiations with Washington, as Mexico works for more favorable trade conditions. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Ebrard can now add tomatoes to the list of products for which he is attempting to achieve tariff relief, as the United States government announced on Monday that it intends to impose duties of almost 21% on imports of most tomatoes from Mexico starting in July.
5 calls in 5 months
Sheinbaum and Trump have now spoken by telephone on five occasions since the latter won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. They have not yet met face-to-face.
Here is a summary of the two leaders’ four previous calls.
In a Nov. 7 call, Sheinbaum said she and Trump discussed “the good relationship there will be between Mexico and the United States.”
In a Feb. 3 call — two weeks after Trump began his second term — the two leaders reached what Sheinbaum called “a series of agreements,” including one to postpone a 25% tariff that the U.S. was about to impose on all imports from Mexico. During the call, Sheinbaum said she committed to immediately deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to the northern border “to avoid the trafficking of drugs from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl.”
After a March 6 call, Trump said he had “agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement,” thus suspending tariffs on USMCA-compliant goods that had taken effect two days earlier. “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl,” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social at the time.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Part 3: What could a rethink of the Mexican economy look like?
The purpose of this three-part series is to reflect on the emerging trends of trade protectionism (tariffs), AI and robotics, consider the potential impacts on Mexico and foster a discussion on possible solutions. Please share your thoughts in the comments section and let’s have an inspiring and engaging discussion and debate.
Part 3: What could a rethink of the Mexican economy look like?
As mentioned in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, Mexico must increasingly look to expand beyond the manufacturing sector to ensure that it can continue to provide economic growth and employment opportunities for its people.
Mexico’s economic future hinges on its ability to leverage the country’s many unique strengths in this era of geopolitical and technological transformation. Building on the discussion and rationale established in Parts 1 and 2, this final essay outlines actionable strategies for diversifying the economy, reducing dependency on manufacturing, and embracing sectors where Mexico has clear opportunities.
1. Tourism: Elevating cultural and environmental strengths
Tourism is an area in which Mexico already has created a tremendous economic driver and it already represents 9% of the Mexican economy. That being said, the country’s still-untapped tourism potential is massive, with countless beaches, colonial cities, archaeological wonders and biodiverse landscapes still relatively undiscovered. Each offers opportunities to attract travelers of all types. Mexico has the opportunity to move up the value chain in tourism, with an eye on attracting higher-spending and more adventurous travelers. I am constantly surprised at how many people who have traveled all over Europe have barely left a Mexican all-inclusive resort — this is a huge untapped opportunity!
The global demand for experiential travel — culinary tours, eco-adventures and cultural immersion — aligns perfectly with Mexico’s 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites and vibrant Indigenous traditions. The recently completed Maya Train has 20 major stations with 23 Maya communities along the route that offer significant tourism opportunities.
Proximity to the U.S. provides an obvious logistical benefit, with shorter travel times and lower costs compared to many overseas destinations. Mexico’s strong hospitality and service culture is a natural advantage. Strategic investments in rural infrastructure — improved roads to Chiapas waterfalls or sustainable lodges in Michoacán’s monarch butterfly reserves — could unlock underserved regions. Collaborations with platforms like UNESCO to certify cultural experiences would enhance global appeal. Mexico can look to countries like Croatia, Slovenia and Albania for tourism lessons learned on how to compete and differentiate in a crowded market.
The ancient city of Calakmul, Campeche, and its lush surround forests are a prime example of Mexico’s incredible cultural and natural heritage.(INAH)
2. Medical Tourism: Positioning as a regional health hub
Mexico’s medical sector can position itself much better to capitalize on cost disparities and quality care. Procedures such as dental work, cosmetic surgery and elective treatments often cost less than half of what they would in the U.S., with outcomes that meet or exceed international standards. Over the years on flights to Mexico I have heard many stories of flight attendants and pilots that are taking advantage of these types of services, but I think that most people are still not aware they exist. Border cities like Tijuana and other cities with easy international access like Monterrey, Cancún and Los Cabos already are building clinics that cater to foreign patients.
Mexico should look to Thailand as a model. The Southeast Asian country now attracts over 3 million medical tourists annually by combining affordability with internationally accredited hospitals. The country standardized certifications and built “medical corridors” near Bangkok and Phuket, offering recovery resorts with telehealth follow-ups. Many hospitals in Mexico already target foreign patients, but scaling up would require significant and systemic upgrades from the reality of today.
Standardizing accreditation across hospitals and clinics would build trust, while partnerships with U.S. insurers could streamline coverage for cross-border care. Insurance companies would benefit from much lower costs. Chronic disease management, such as dialysis or diabetes treatment, seems like an obvious opportunity. Clear processes enabling physician communication between U.S. and Mexican facilities would help patients feel at ease. Establishing specialized clinics coupled with telehealth follow-ups would create a seamless patient experience and position Mexico as a leader in affordable, high-quality care.
3. Senior care: Addressing a global demographic shift
The aging U.S. (and global) population presents another significant opportunity. With senior care costs often exceeding $100,000 annually in the U.S., Mexico’s lower living expenses, lower cost care and temperate climate offer an attractive alternative. Communities like Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende demonstrate the viability of retirement enclaves, but demand for assisted living and memory care far exceeds supply of such services.
Set on the shore of Lake Chapala, the town of Ajijic is a popular destination for international retirees. (Somniphobiac/Creative Commons)
Mexico’s familial culture and emphasis on community align with seniors’ needs for social connection — especially in a world where children increasingly live far from their parents. Public-private partnerships to develop accredited senior living facilities, staffed by trained caregivers, could generate thousands of local jobs while providing dignified care. Collaborating with U.S. insurers to recognize Mexican providers would legitimize the sector and attract investment. Reputable law firms are critical to provide advice, guidance, and help safe-guard patients against fraud.
4. Expat communities: Fostering integration and innovation
The rise of remote work has created a new demographic: professionals seeking affordable, culturally rich environments. Cities like Mérida and Querétaro blend historic charm with modern amenities, appealing to digital nomads, families and retirees alike. Success hinges on integration — ensuring expats contribute to local economies without displacing communities.
Municipal initiatives to streamline visas, property regulations and bilingual education would attract long-term residents. “Innovation districts” with co-working spaces and startup incubators could foster knowledge exchange between expats and local entrepreneurs, driving economic diversification. Purpose-built communities with expats in mind are an obvious opportunity.
5. Food: Globalizing Mexico’s gastronomic legacy
Mexico’s culinary heritage, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a cornerstone of national identity — yet its global potential remains underdeveloped. While tacos and tequila have achieved international fame, regional dishes like Oaxaca’s mole negro has yet to achieve the international acclaim of Italian or French staples.
Oaxacan mole, a complex sauce that can take days and dozens of ingredients to prepare, still doesn’t receive the same recognition as fine European cuisines. (File photo)
Los Cabos’ farm-to-table scene, pioneered by destinations like Flora Farms, demonstrates that there is massive demand for culinary tourism. Expanding this model to states like Michoacán, Puebla, Oaxaca or Guanajuato — key agricultural regions in Mexico — could help transform rural economies. Imagine agro-tours where visitors harvest Mexican blue corn alongside local farmers, followed by cooking classes with Michelin-trained chefs. Such experiences align with travel trends, where tourists are increasingly prioritizing food-focused adventures.
This would go a long way in softening the still-negative perceptions many foreigners have about Mexico. Peru’s gastronomic rise is an example of how food can reshape national perception. Strategic campaigns, such as a Netflix docuseries on Mexico’s culinary diversity or partnerships with international chefs, could be hugely impactful.
6. Cultural wellness: Exporting traditions of well-being
In a world grappling with burnout and anxiety, Mexico’s ancient wellness practices offer respite. The global wellness tourism market increasingly values holistic, culturally rooted experiences. Mexico’s temazcal ceremonies, herbal medicine remedies and communal rituals provide alternatives to conventional retreats, blending spirituality with science. Luxury resorts in places like Tulum, Los Cabos and the Riviera Nayarit have begun integrating these elements. Yoga retreats, addiction clinics, meditation and silent retreats are all growing areas of wellness with significant opportunities for Mexico with the right organization, support, and investment.
7. Infrastructure: Enabling sustainable growth
Mexico’s infrastructure gaps — often substandard roads, unreliable energy and spotty digital connectivity — hold back the country’s economic potential. Infrastructure, which should act as an enabler and accelerator, far too often in is a drag on growth. President Sheinbaum’s Plan México does have significant emphasis on infrastructure and energy, but much work remains to provide the backbone to support and enable growth on a broader scale. If the vast majority of foreigners don’t feel comfortable renting a car or taking a bus or train in the country, countless economic opportunities will not be realized.
So what is the bottom line? Mexico’s manufacturing era isn’t ending — it’s evolving. Mexico will continue to provide a significant role in the global manufacturing supply chain, but the country must look to further diversify its economy to ensure continued economic and employment growth in the years ahead.
Mexico’s path forward requires bold vision and pragmatic collaboration. The seven sectors outlined here — tourism, medical services, senior care, expat integration, food, wellness and infrastructure — are interconnected pillars of a modern, resilient economy. Each leverages Mexico’s geographic, cultural and demographic strengths while promising to create job opportunities across the country. As manufacturing automation increases around the world, perhaps Mexico’s path forward is to become the hemisphere’s hub for experiences, care and culture.
The transition will require alignment across government, private industry and local communities. Regulatory reforms to incentivize sustainable tourism, healthcare accreditation and expat-friendly policies are critical first steps. Equally important is storytelling — showcasing Mexico not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a leader in the seven areas mentioned.
The team at Mexico News Daily will continue to monitor developments in these areas, and we are committed to highlighting stories of success, progress and partnerships. The challenges are significant, but the opportunities for the country could be transformative.
What do you think? Please share your comments, and thank you for reading MND.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO ofMexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
The Parroquia is the iconic building of San Miguel de Allende. How did it come to be? (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, San Miguel de Allende)
From nearly anywhere in the Guanajuato city of San Miguel de Allende, your eyes will be drawn to the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, known colloquially as simply La Parroquia.
Glowing in sunlight by day and artfully lit at night, the Parroquia towers over the city as its most iconic landmark. With its pink spires and Gothic-inspired silhouette, the building is impossible to ignore and equally hard to classify. Its architectural style defies easy labels because the church wasn’t built in a single era. It has been reinforced, expanded and reimagined over centuries.
The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel towers over the town. (San Miguel de Allende)
A modest start for a growing village
The first parish church in San Miguel was built shortly after the town was founded in 1542 by Franciscan friars. It was a simple structure, adequate for the small settlement at the time. As the population grew, the need for a larger place of worship became clear. In 1578, the church was completely rebuilt to serve the expanding community.
Over time, the structure began to deteriorate, and by 1690, it was in such poor condition that town leaders formally petitioned the viceroy. They argued that although local tithes had been allocated in perpetuity for the building’s maintenance, the funds were likely being mismanaged by church officials.
The viceroy agreed to investigate and sent the esteemed Mexico City architect Marco Antonio Sobrarías to assess the damage. He concluded that the church was unsafe and should be closed to prevent any tragedies, recommending a complete rebuild with new foundations, a larger floor plan and added transepts to give it grandeur. In 1698, the Bishop of Valladolid officially ordered the reconstruction of the church and contributed 1,000 pesos to get things started.
Sobrarías designed the renovation in a modest Baroque style with a Latin cross layout and two side chapels, one dedicated to the Señor de la Conquista (Lord of the Conquest) and the other to the Virgen de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). He built the main nave with semicircular arches, which later made it possible to convert those areas into chapels for the Virgen del Carmen and the Virgen del Rosario.
The Parroquia at night. (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, San Miguel de Allende)
Sobrarías worked on the project for about two years and, in 1692, reported to the viceroy that the building was nearly complete but required a few more expenses. Despite repeated requests, he never received the full annual salary of 1,460 pesos he had been promised, nor the additional funding required.
Sobrarías eventually returned to Mexico City, where he was assigned to work on the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Architect Juan Antonio de Guzmán was then appointed to complete the renovation for a lower salary, bringing the project to completion in 1709.
18th-century upgrades and a 19th-century crisis
In 1740, a second tower was added to the Parroquia to provide the visual symmetry expected of a proper colonial church. This addition reflected the growing importance of San Miguel and the desire to create a more dignified place of worship.
Throughout the 18th century, the interior was gradually enriched to match this elevated exterior. Baroque altarpieces, religious paintings and ornate devotional artwork were added over time as tastes evolved and resources allowed.
The Parroquia’s interior. (Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, San Miguel de Allende)
However, by the late 1800s, the Parroquia was once again in crisis. The west tower had become so unstable that its bells had to be removed, and the façade had a large crack running from the choir vault at the top all the way down to the main entrance. While temporary repairs kept it standing for a while, it became clear that major intervention was necessary.
The neo-Gothic transformation
The church’s priest at that time, José María de Jesús Diez de Sollano y Dávalos, made a bold choice: he commissioned local stonemason Zeferino Gutiérrez for the restoration project. Gutiérrez had no formal architectural training but a well-earned reputation for craftsmanship and creativity.
Between 1880 and 1890, Gutiérrez led the transformation, drawing inspiration from postcards of European cathedrals. He designed a striking neo-Gothic façade complete with soaring towers, pointed arches, finials and intricate stone carvings. The stone used for the façade was pink cantera quarried from the slopes of the nearby Palo Huérfano volcano, which not only provided the distinctive color but also was located close enough to make the large-scale project feasible.
Before work on the new façade could begin, Gutiérrez focused on reinforcing the existing structure. The original side towers were removed as they had become too unstable to remain standing. He also reinforced the church’s main walls and addressed foundation issues.
Inside, the church took on a new character, with the introduction of Neoclassical elements. The original wooden altars, damaged by wear, were replaced with finely carved stone altars made of the same local cantera stone. These updates brought a sense of visual harmony between the interior and exterior and ensured that the building could support the weight of the new design.
This major restoration was extraordinary not only for what it accomplished but also for how it was done. It wasn’t only Gutiérrez’s vision; it was the people of San Miguel who made it possible. Women and children carried sacks of sand and small stones, while men hoisted boulders, loading carts and wheelbarrows to transport material from the Río Laja to the construction site.
It was, as the townspeople called it at the time, ant-like work. Working for years without pay, it was the effort of a united community driven by devotion. They were building a temple worthy of their faith.
More than a postcard-perfect church
Despite its grand appearance, the Parroquia has always been a parish church. San Miguel de Allende is not the seat of a bishop, so its main church has never been a cathedral. While it’s one of the most photographed tourist attractions in Mexico, it serves the local community as a place of worship and religious celebrations. Guests are welcome to enter, though they’re asked to limit visits during Mass, which takes place several times a day.
Its esplanade and the park across from it, known today as El Jardín, are Sanmiguelenses’ favorite gathering spot. This is where both locals and tourists enjoy street food, sing along to mariachi bands, take pictures with the larger-than-life paper mache mojigangas and attend major events.
Throughout San Miguel de Allende’s complex history, the Parroquia has always stood at the heart of it all, whimsical and deeply loved by residents both past and present.
Sandra Gancz Kahan is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at sandragancz@gmail.com
